Despite a string of three consecutive defeats and Celta Vigo’s struggles this season, Rafa Benitez has made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down from his role as the club’s manager.Following a 1-0 home loss to league leaders Girona, Benitez faced increased scrutiny. Celta Vigo currently sits just one point above the relegation zone and has only secured three victories this season.In response to questions about his future, the experienced coach, who masterminded Liverpool’s legendary Istanbul miracle in 2005, dismissed any speculation about resigning, emphasizing his focus on improving the team’s performance. “What’s up to me is to focus on how to get performance out of the team and that’s what I’m focused on. I’m angry because we lost. I don’t worry about the situation here. I’ve come to Celta for a three-year project. I’m a professional who works 12 hours a day. What I want is for this project to turn out well. All matches are to be played and to be won. We must be aware that the team must keep fighting, maintain the structure and not collapse if we concede a goal. The team has shown that, and that is the way.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7828750##There were glaring errors in the club’s strategy. Paris Saint-Germain’s sporting director Luis Campos had been appointed in a similar capacity in Vigo to help Benitez, but the collaboration proved useless. Campos and Celta parted ways a month ago, leaving La Liga strugglers without a clear plan in the transfer market. But the coach (or Campos) is hardly to blame for Douvikas missing two one-on-one opportunities, Larsen needing three times as many chances as he converts, Iago Aspas scoring only three goals, or even piling up defenders and still conceding too easily.Celta lost Gabri Veiga, the player expected to lead the club in the coming seasons, to a hefty contract in Saudi Arabia. Before that, they had already parted ways with Denis Suarez or Brais Mendez, leaving them orphaned in the creation zone. Meanwhile, the new signings have not brought about a quality leap. And the January arrivals, neither.Rafa Benítez, sobre su futuro en el Celta de Vigo:🗨️ “Un entrenador profesional que trabaja 12 horas diarias, que viene a un proyecto de tres años, lo que quiere es que el proyecto salga bien”. pic.twitter.com/0i062nvayN— Relevo (@relevo) January 28, 2024 But the coach also needs to reflect. The bad refereeing suffered at the beginning of the season should not serve as an eternal excuse. The team has been playing poorly for a long time, except for a few exceptions. Meanwhile, Benitez has frozen out several players and has not quite found the right formula.Having been a mainstay in La Liga since 2012, Celta Vigo faces the real threat of relegation for the first time in 12 years. The crowd at Balaidos calls for Rafa’s resignation, but he will not take that step forward. For now, the club would do well to take advantage of the last hours of the transfer market to balance a team with many shortcomings unless they want to go to Segunda in the centenary year.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 22Friday Almeria – Alaves 0-3 (0-1)/Omorodion 10, 88, Rioja 52 pen/Saturday Real Sociedad – Rayo Vallecano 0-0Las Palmas – Real Madrid 1-2 (0-0)/Munoz 53 – Vinicius 65, Tchouameni 84/Barcelona – Villareal 3-5 (0-1)/Gundogan 61, Pedri 68, Bailly 71 og – Moreno 41, Akhomach 54, Guedes 84, Sorloth 90+9, Morales 90+11/Mallorca – Betis 0-1 (0-1)/Altimira 45+1/Sunday Celta Vigo – Girona 0-1 (0-1)/Portu 20/Cadiz – Athletic Club 0-0Sevilla – Osasuna 1-1 (1-0)/Romero 24 – Budimir 55/Atletico Madrid – Valencia 2-0 (1-0)/Lino 45+5, Depay 57/Monday 23.00: (1.85) Getafe (3.60) Granada (4.90)***odds are subject to change
